Time to reform redistricting

Gerrymandering is never going to change — unless we fix this states' problems from the ground up. The recent gerrymandering of congressional districts made me come to the realization that the only way Marylanders voices will be heard is if we force our elected officials to step out of the redistricting process. My thought is that two non-partisan firms compete for drawing the maps based on actual census data collected. The second firm comes in to audit the work of the first. They are both paid, but the incentive is a bonus to the first if it draws the map correctly. If the second firm finds the job hasn't been done properly, they get the bonus.

Also, non-partisan firms should be contracted to write the ballot questions in a clear and concise manner. I read all about how tricky the wording of the questions was. While voting I had to re-read the question several times and pray that I picked the right answer.

Some great elected officials tried to right the wrong of gerrymandering with a very successful petition drive. Gov. Martin O'Malley and his cronies didn't make too much of a fuss because they knew they could guarantee that the maps would pass by making the ballot language so very confusing.

Maryland is not alone with these shenanigans. For anyone's vote to count at all anymore, in any state, this process must change. Is it any wonder why people take voting so lightly? Why bother when the politicians rig the election?